Dosimetry of Radio Frequency and Microwave Radiation: Theoretical Analyses

Abstract

Theoretical dosimetry concerns the determination by calculations of the electric field distribution or the specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution in models of humans and animals exposed to electromagnetic (EM) waves. The calculations are performed by solving Maxwell’s equations for a given configuration approximating the exposed object (an animal, a human being, a part of a human body), and for given exposure conditions (e.g. plane wave at a given frequency, incident from a given direction). Whenever the model is a close approximation of a biological body, the equations become nearly prohibitively complex and difficult to solve. However, even analyses of greatly simplified models provide valuable information for quantifying interactions of EM waves with biological systems. The results obtained from simple models often provide valuable insight and qualitative understanding that can facilitate the analysis of more complex models. Theoretical dosimetry is closely linked with experimental dosimetry, since progress in one area of dosimetry frequently stimulates further development and progress in the other.

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